dude, I already know where to find you.

When is the party?

oh, and do you want to come to Amandas costume party on the 27th?

Better hit the tip jar so he can afford it.

I kicked the tip jar right in the nuts last month.... All my extra money is going into my viking costume.

That wasn't addressed at you, just a general notification things are weak this particularly needy month.

I don't so much do either Halloween or parties, but if you guys want to get together elsewise I would be happy to do that!

ya'll can all come party down here! the theme would be "deliverance". let me see if i can find my banjo

Took delivery of the key today and went over and measured the place out.

Immediately started panicking. This will be my first move since 1993, and I spotted some mold on walls and ceilings that I hadn't noticed before.

I'm handy enough with a sponge and bleach but damn the place needs a dehumidifier

I don't understand how the old heat works; I thought it was air heat because there are registers, but they guy said it was water, could it be below floors? Are there actually two systems in the place? And do I know where the oil gauge is? No idea, or where the tank is refilled.

No water in the basement, just plenty of dampness

OMG are the doors wide enough to fit all my shit in? Didn't think to check that

And there are at least 11 windows needing "treatment" of some sort, you know, blinds and shit so people can't look in

I can't handle it, I'm freaking out.

Yes you can. Take a deep breath. One thing at a time.

First: window treatments...blinds or curtains. Don't want to sleep with any night windows gaping wide open.

Second: dehumidifier. Let it start working while you figure out what you can fit through each door.

Third: git up here and clean my house. That will take your mind off your place and result in mine being clean. Win-Win. ;)

UT - I wish I could ocme over to help you. Surely the landlord or agent will show you how the heating works? Are there curtain tracks/poles at the windows? If not putting something up is still pretty straightforward. You could prioritise the rooms you're likely to use after dark first.
In fact, the simple act of putting an electric light on the window sill obscures most of what's in the room behind it anyway, as far as I recall.

I missed the part where you found a place! I just went back and had a look. Really cute farmhouse UT!

A thought for immediate window treatments that'll give some privacy while you look for blinds etc. - get paper accordion horizontal blinds from a place like Home Depot or Lowe's. About $4-5 each and they last a long time. Gives you some breathing room.

Speaking of which, breathe. Bleach will help the mold situation. Dehumidifier, ditto. Your stuff will most likely fit through the doors unless you have a regulation snooker table. Compartmentalize, take one thing at a time. You can do this.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, don't worry about the window treatments right now. Just tape newspaper over them. Or even better, tissue paper, because that will let in some light. When you get settled in, you can pretty the place up at a pace that feels right.

The mold you know how to deal with, and get a dehumidifier in there as soon as you can get around to it. Yes. You can fit stuff through the doorways. May take some twisting and turning for the big stuff, but it will all get in.

You'll be just fine. Really. You will.

If you don't understand the heat, just ask the landlord to show you.

You can do this. You'll be fine.

If you don't understand the heat, get out of the kitchen. ;)

These sorts of things seem easy when you're looking back. Just do what you can when you can and don't think of it as a huge looming project!

It would be fun to have a Cellar Help With Tony's House Party.

Yeah, what glatt said.

I hate moving house. Always have. But the idea of it usually ends up being worse than the reality. It'll all work out.

Deep breathing.

One thing at a time.

First things first.

It WILL get done.

I moved ten times in seven years. it's always a bitch, but it IS doable and you are not alone nor are you expected to know each and every quirk of this house. ASK for help.

It will be okay. In two months, you'll be living just fine.

Are you moved in yet? Huh, huh? Are you, huh? Well?

;)

Let me know when the party starts! :)

Dampness is probably due to no gutters. Winter heat means dampness will be reduced. But plan on a better solution by spring.

Helpful would be a shovel. Ground at the foundation has insufficient slope. Minor regrading from the foundation five feet out would help signficantly. Even better would be a some topsoil so that shade grass can grow. You probably do not want to buy soil. But even shade grass growing in sloping sand would help.

Many in that sandy region routinely operate a dehumidifier in their basement all year. Green slime on the foundation identifies dampness has been a long standing problem from insufficient grading and no gutter .

Standard exterior door and hallways is three feet. If that wide, then no problem.

Debbie Jellinik (homicidal black widow on the prowl) "These Addams men! Where do you find them?"

Morticia: "It has to be damp,"


:)

I'll be Tish if you'll be Gomez.

One option for windows is to cover them in bubble wrap.

It is insulation, it lets light in, but blurs the image for a bit of privacy.

And it gives you something to do with all that bubble wrap you just used when you moved house.

And if you feel the urge, you can go around popping the bubbles!

Do you want me to take a look at the heating system?

Appreciate it xoB, I am going to try to figure it out over this weekend, when I go in to to the mold work. If I can't figure out what's up I'll cry for desperate help. Surely there has to be a gauge for the oil and I should be able to trace how it operates, right?

I am just freaked out right now.

No, there's often no oil gage, and it's filled on a time basis if you're signed up for automatic deliveries. They play it safe and fill it before it's necessary, the first few times, then when they've got your usage figured out they have a computer program that takes the weather into account to schedule deliveries.

I have a gage on the tank but it's not worth a shit, so I generally knock on the side if I'm curious, as it will sound different above and below the oil level. Or if I'm really concerned, pull the plug on top and dipstick it.

Hmmm... will his landlord think he's making crank?

I like the bubblewrap idea.

The gauge should be on the tank. Is the tank inside or outside?

Inside, I haven't looked at it up close yet because I didn't have a flashlight.

The bank approved my house's short sale. As long as the buyers are still ready to buy, this completes this phase of the whole thing.

And they are giving me moving expense money - it seems people are so skint when they short-sale, that they can't even get out of dodge.

Keep on keepin' in. One step at a time. X

Sent by thought transference.

gettin' those ducks in a row!

Progress is good. Hang in there. Nice to have the moving expense allowance!

I only ran out of oil on holidays. If it happens, go get some kerosene, and that will get you through until they can deliver.

Fuck that, get 'em in the freezer. :lol:

Moving day is Dec. 5th. I booked professionals to take care of it, no help needed.

Great! Christmas in a new house. You will have to post some pics when you get settled

Congrats, UT!

Great news! I highly recommend the experience of professional removers. Expensive maybe, but so SO worth it for making the stress more bearable.

Awesome sauce :)

Hiring movers is the best gift you can give yourself right now.

I hired the basketball team from where I used to work to help me move from my apartment in the sky!

All I can think about is the Seinfeld episode where Keith Hernandez (played by Keith Hernandez) wants Jerry to help him move. Jerry is freaking out about how he doesn't know him that well, it's awfully early in the relationship, etc. He tells Kramer about it and Kramer says "What? You barely KNOW him!"

Because friends will help you move, and better friends will hire people so they don't have to help! Seriously, moving is rough. Good for you re: the movers.

Four out of the five friends who offered to help me move are guitarists. I told them (on facebook) that they shouldn't be risking their hands and fingers on this. I have a lot of heavy shit I've accumulated over the last 19 years.

Friends are wonderful...but anytime you can get the professionals to do it, then do!

I need to hire someone to do a bunch of stuff at my place, but I can't even let myself let the neighbor guy who offered to buff out the scratched part of my car help me. It's a big issue with me: letting people help.

Then again, when you're paying someone it's win-win.

Especially when you're moving to/from an island :rolleyes:

To my horror Verizon FIOS does not serve shitty little farmhouses

I am required to get *gasp* Comcast service

The process of just trying to order service has been horrible

Multiple chat sessions with semi-anonymous chat agents from around the world say that some sort of error prevents them from completing my order. It goes like this:


analyst Fahad has entered room

Fahad: Hello Undertoad, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Fahad. Please give me one moment to review your information.

Fahad: It's nice to have you on chat & serve you with the services of Comcast. How are you doing today?

Undertoad: excellent

Fahad: I am glad to hear that you are doing excellent.

Fahad: Welcome to the Comcast Family. I truly appreciate your interest in Comcast as your chosen service provider.

Fahad: As I am delighted that you would like to sign up for HD Preferred Plus XF Triple Play with 2-year agreement.

Undertoad: I look forward to the service

Fahad: Sure.

Fahad: I will now create an account for you. To create new accounts we require to run a credit check. I will appreciate if you allow me to run the Credit Check.

Fahad: To process a request for new service, it is our policy to verify identity through credit check to determine if a deposit is required.

Undertoad: During the order process I paid a deposit to bypass the credit check

Fahad: Okay, let me check.

Fahad: Undertoad, as I checked that Credit check is not done yet.

Fahad: And system didn't charge the deposit amount.

Fahad: And I will run the Credit Check and I will let you know the deposit amount.

Undertoad: OK

Fahad: Thank you

Fahad: Would you like to add the name of another person as an authorized user who will have the right to make the changes to the account?

Undertoad: no thank you

Fahad: Okay.

Fahad: As I checked that you need one HD Box for $9.25/month

Undertoad: OK

Fahad: I am working in your account so please bear with me.

Undertoad: no problem

Fahad: Thank you

Fahad: There is a one time installation fee which is $34.99 + additional box installation is $14.15 and for the Non published set up fee $15

Undertoad: OK

Fahad: And I would like to inform you that this package will cost you $129.99/month for 12 months and after 12 months it will cost you $159.99/month and after 24 months it will cost you $179.95/month

Undertoad: OK

Fahad: Undertoad, I am getting an error so I am trying it to resolve it, so please bear with me.

Fahad: While waiting, let me share with you one of our FREE services. DESKTOP DOCTOR. This free, downloadable application helps keep your computer and Internet connection running smoothly. If you ever lose Internet connectivity or your email stops working in the future, Desktop Doctor remembers your original settings and will get you back to surfing in no time. Here is the link: (link deleted)

Undertoad: This is the second time my order has gotten an error at this step.

Fahad: No problem!

Fahad: I am almost done with that error.

Undertoad: OK

Fahad: Please give me few minutes.

Anton: Take your time

Fahad: Thank you for the understanding.

Fahad: Undertoad, the error is that you can go with the Starter XF Triple Play for $99.00/month for 12 months with the 2 year agreement.

Fahad: HD Preferred Plus XF Triple Play with 2-year agreement this package is not in your area.

Fahad: So no worries, you can later upgrade the services.

Fahad: And we have the Starter XF Triple Play without agreement also.

Fahad: So shall I add the Starter XF Triple Play?

Undertoad: What level of Internet service is included with Starter XF Triple Play?

Fahad: In this you will get the speed up to 20 mbps.

Undertoad: Thank you. What is the price without the 2 year agreement?

Fahad: It is same price.

Fahad: And if you go without agreement, you can cancel it anytime.

Undertoad: Thank you. I would like to order the Starter XF Triple Play without the 2 year agreement.

Fahad: Sure.

Fahad: I am adding the package so please bear with me.

Undertoad: no problem

Fahad: Thank you

Fahad: Undertoad, I am still getting an error.

Fahad: Undertoad, now this error is showing that you need to visit our Local Service Center.

Fahad: And they will process your Order.

Fahad: I tried a lot but nothing happens, I am sorry for that.

Undertoad: Fahad, I am sorry that you have to work with Comcast. I know that it must be very trying and difficult. I hope for better days for you.

Fahad: I do understand your frustration.

I'm exhausted FOR you.

(Comcast Live Chat Survey)

If there is anything else you would like to share about your online shopping or chat experience,
Please enter your comments below.

----------

I am... amused, at your company's inability to simply allow one to sign up for service. Hey, person reading this comment: I'm sorry that you have to endure the process of reading comments. Wow that must be a tough job. I guess what I'm here to say is, don't let the Comcast negativity here get you down in real life. Sure, people wind up in this inbox because they had a bad time, but in real life they may just be having a bad day and had to endure a 45 minute chat session that they expected to result in an error and did. If you are in Philadelphia I think you should enjoy a Tastykake and have a better day once you get off work.

----------

Submitting...

Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server error '80040e57'

String or binary data would be truncated.

/sdccommon/inc/db/dbcommon.inc, line 272

I'm unhappy with Fios (TV). We get boned either way

so, error on the comment as well.

how fitting.

I fired Comcast years ago and I've **NEVER** looked back. I have the greatest sympathy for you UT. Good luck.

Perhaps there are other options in your area (I know you know your stuff in this area) like Clearwire or the phone company for DSL? Pony express would be better than Comcast. Good luck man.

You said there was a student apartment building very close. You should drive by and sniff for unsecured wifi. Maybe you don't need to pay for anything at all.

Four days ago I used Verizon's online system to check for availability of FIOS. It told me there is no FIOS service to my new place. I clicked on the "notify me when service is available" button and sadly went off to attempt to get Comcast.

As you know, Comcast then completely whiffed on making me a customer with their horrible and repeated incompetence. But without any options, I was prepared to visit a Service Center on Friday and get my needs addressed.

Today I get an email.

http://cellar.org/2012/fiosnotification.jpg

And a song pops in my head.

Once in a while from out of nowhere
When you don't expect it, and you're unprepared
Somebody will come and lift you higher
And your burdens will be shared
Yes I do believe, if I hadn't met you
I might still be sinking fast
I've had a long streak of bad luck
But I'm praying it's gone at last

Gone, gone, gone at last
Gone at last, gone at last
I had a long streak of that bad luck
But I'm prayin' it's gone at last

-- Paul Simon

Sweet! You tell him, Paul. :)

Hooray!

I'd edit out that address.;)

thankfulness...we should have a day where we give thanks for blessings like this..

Oh that address is already faked.

Be nice to Verizon or there are consequences... :haha:

I have comcast (no other cable choice) where I live now ... everything you've heard is true *shudder*. I get better bandwidth at Starbucks or McD's. And I have a contract ... :mecry:

OMG its moving day and the job is half done and I am so beat I can barely move. This sucks. Never buy a lot of stuff and not throw it away. Now I have to bin 3 tons worth of shit and I am in deep pain.

Exactly, that's why I kept the house.

Then after everything is moved, find a place in the clutter to make a nest where you can sleep. Get up tomorrow, racked with pain, and realize Pearl and life need attention, it's got to be organized. Sucks.

Do you have heat?

Ach. If I hadn't been up most of the night with a sinus headache, id a come a helpa.

You need any help friday afternoon?